Flat surface chamois mop device

ABSTRACT

A flat surface chamois mop device includes an elongated mop body having a flat bottom surface, and a malleable chamois cover. The chamois cover having a pocket section for receiving the mop body, and a flap for securing the mop body within the pocket section. The chamois cover being constructed from one or more pieces of water repellant chamois and including a plurality of elongated chamois strands extending outward from the cover. One or more connectors are positioned along the pocket and flap sections to secure the cover in an open or closed position. A hinge mechanism and a pole receptacle are positioned along the top surface of the main body. The hinge mechanism functioning to allow the mop body to move omnidirectionally relative to a pole secured onto the pole receptacle.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part to and claims the benefit ofcopending U.S. application Ser. No. 16/460,532 filed on Jul. 2, 2019,the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to improvements in cleaning anddrying products, and more particularly to a flat surface chamois mopdevice.

BACKGROUND

The statements in this section merely provide background informationrelated to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.

Unlike towels, which are designed to absorb water, chamois are designedto act like a squeegee that repels/pushes water off the surface of anitem. To this end, there are known types of chamois floor mops thatinclude a plurality of chamois strands that are tied together along oneend to form a knot at the base of a pole. These mops are intended foruse on horizontal surfaces such as floors, whereby the individualstrands can be spread out to engage a large surface area.

Additionally, because chamois repel water they are useful in reducing oreliminating water stains on items being cleaned. For this reason,handheld chamois are the preferred drying tool for many professionalboat, automobile and RV detailers, along with window cleaning companiesacross the globe.

Although such devices work well for easy to reach locations and/orhorizontal surfaces, there does not currently exist a chamois-typedrying mechanism that is optimized for use with non-horizontal surfacessuch as boat transoms, building windows and/or RV sidewalls, forexample. Indeed, attempts to utilize chamois mops on these surfaces isextremely difficult owing to the lack of a continuous-smooth main bodyto receive the pushing force of the pole, and because each of theindividual strands bunch up when positioned vertically.

The present invention, directed to a flat surface chamois mop device,differs from the conventional art in a number of aspects. The manner bywhich will become more apparent in the description which follows,particularly when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a flat surface chamois mop device.One embodiment of the present invention can include an elongated mopbody having a flat bottom surface, and a malleable chamois cover. Thechamois cover having a pocket section for receiving the mop body, and aflap for securing the mop body within the pocket section.

The chamois cover can be constructed from one or more pieces of waterrepellant chamois and can also include a plurality of elongated chamoisstrands extending outward from the cover. One or more connectors can bepositioned along the pocket and flap sections to secure the cover in anopen or closed position.

A hinge mechanism and a pole receptacle can be positioned along the topsurface of the main body. The hinge mechanism functioning to allow themop body to move omnidirectionally relative to a pole secured onto thepole receptacle.

This summary is provided merely to introduce certain concepts and not toidentify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Presently preferred embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should beappreciated, however, that the invention is not limited to the precisearrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1 perspective view of a mop body for a chamois device that isuseful for understanding the inventive concepts disclosed herein.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the chamois cover of the flat surface chamoismop device, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the chamois cover of the flat surface chamoismop device in the closed position, in accordance with one embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 4A is a top view of the flat surface chamois mop device inoperation, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4B is a bottom view of the flat surface chamois mop device inoperation, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the specification concludes with claims defining the features ofthe invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that theinvention will be better understood from a consideration of thedescription in conjunction with the drawings. As required, detailedembodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, itis to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplaryof the invention which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore,specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not tobe interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and asa representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variouslyemploy the inventive arrangements in virtually any appropriatelydetailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are notintended to be limiting but rather to provide an understandabledescription of the invention.

Although described throughout this document for use in dryingnon-horizontal surfaces, this is for illustrative purposes only. Assuch, the inventive concepts disclosed herein are not to be construed aslimiting to any particular use or industry.

As described herein, the terms “connector” and “complementary connector”include any number of different elements that work together torepeatedly join two items together in a nonpermanent manner (i.e.,removably connected). Several nonlimiting examples include opposingstrips of hook and loop material (e.g., Velcro®), attractively orientedmagnetic elements, flexible strips of interlocking projections with aslider (i.e., zipper), tethers, buckles, hooks, snaps and buttons, forexample. Each illustrated connector and complementary connector can bepermanently secured to the illustrated portion of the device via apermanent sealer such as glue, adhesive tape, or stitching, for example.

Various embodiments of a flat surface chamois mop device 10 are providedthroughout the drawings to aid in understanding the inventive conceptsdisclosed herein. In each of the drawings, identical reference numeralsare used for like elements of the invention or elements of likefunction. For the sake of clarity, only those reference numerals areshown in the individual figures which are necessary for the descriptionof the respective figure. For purposes of this description, the terms“upper,” “bottom,” “right,” “left,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,”and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented inFIG. 1.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrates one embodiment of a flat surface chamois mopdevice 10 that includes, a mop body 11 having a removable chamois cover20.

As shown, the main body 11 can include an elongated, generallyrectangular shaped member having a top surface 11 a, a flat bottomsurface 11 b and a plurality of sides 11 c, 11 d, 11 e and 11 f. Themain body will preferably be constructed from a lightweight andwaterproof material such as plastic, for example, however othermaterials, shapes and sizes are also contemplated.

In one embodiment, a hinge mechanism 12 can be positioned centrallyalong the top surface 11 a of the main body. In the preferredembodiment, the hinge mechanism 12 can include two rotation axes thatare arranged perpendicular to each other, thus allowing the hinge to beomnidirectional so as to tilt the pole receptacle in all directionsrelative to the top surface 11 a; however other embodiments wherein thehinge mechanism includes only a single rotation axis are alsocontemplated.

In one embodiment, a pole receptacle 13 can be secured along the distalend of the hinge mechanism, and can function as both a handle, and as ameans for engaging an elongated pole. In the illustrated embodiment, thepole receptacle can include a shaft 13 a and pin 13 b assembly. As isknown in the art, this arrangement can function whereby the end of theshaft is inserted within the open end of an elongated pole (notillustrated), and is removably locked in place via the pin 13 b engaginga corresponding pin opening on the pole. Of course, any number of othercomponents capable of securing the main body onto an elongated pole arealso contemplated.

In one embodiment the chamois cover 20 can be constructed from a singlepiece of natural chamois leather that is formed to include a pocketsection and a flap section, each having a shaped and size that aresuitable for being removably secured onto the main body 11. In oneembodiment, the pocket section can include a bottom end 21 a, agenerally U-shaped top end 21 b, a front end 21 c, an open back end 21 dand side edges 21 e and 21 f that define a hollow interior pocket.

In one embodiment, the flap section can also include a generallyU-shaped member that extends outward from the opening 21 d. The flapsection including a top end 22 a, a recessed middle portion 22 b, and apair of protruding ends 22 c and 22 d along either side.

As shown, connectors 23 a and 23 b can be positioned along the cover 20,and can function to removably secure the cover in the folded position.In the preferred embodiment, connectors 23 a and 23 b can compriseopposing strips of hook and loop material; however, any number of otherconnectors are also contemplated.

Although described above as including a complementary shape and size forreceiving the main body 11 of the device 10, this is for illustrativepurposes only. To this end, the cover 20 can be manufactured to includeany number of different shapes and sizes suitable for engaging any typeof commercially available mop bases. Such a feature allowing theinventive cover to be used with other devices. Additionally, the chamoisbody is not limited to a unitary construction or natural chamoisleather, as the same may be constructed from any number of differentmaterials such as synthetic chamois or shammies, for example, along withany number of different pieces and/or layers of material that aresecured together in any number of different manners.

FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of the chamois cover 20 that furtherincludes a plurality of elongated strips 31 of chamois materialextending outward therefrom. As shown, each of the strips can be securedonto the cover body at various locations and can enhance the usabilityof the device by providing a broader surface area to engage surfaces. Inthe preferred embodiment, the plurality of strips can each compriseelongated rectangular pieces of chamois material that are sewed to thecover so as to extend outward therefrom in a full 360-degree area. Sucha feature allowing the largest possible surface area of each strip to beuseable. Of course, other embodiments are contemplated wherein thestrips can include any number of different lengths, shapes, sizesmaterial(s) and/or orientations relative to the cover 20.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate one embodiment of the device 10 in operation.As shown, the main body 11 can be positioned within the pocket area ofthe cover with the ends 22 c and 22 d secured onto the top surface 21 b.When in this closed position, the pole receptacle 13 can be accessiblefor engagement by a pole, or for use directly as a handle when movingthe flat bottom end 21 a of the chamois cover over an object beingdried.

Although not specifically illustrated, another embodiment of the device10 can include an absorbent sponge that can be removably positionedwithin the pocket section of the chamois cover at a location between thebottom end 11 b of the main body and the bottom surface 21 a of thecover. To this end, the absorbent member can be in direct contact withthese elements, or the cover 20 can be constructed so as to include alayer of material within the pocket area so as to form two distinctpockets for receiving the mop body and the absorbent member,respectively.

In either instance, the absorbent member can function to actively pullmoisture from the bottom surface of chamois cover itself, thusincreasing the longevity of the chamois body. In the preferredembodiment, the absorbent member can include, comprise or consist of asynthetic or natural sponge; however, any number of other moistureabsorbing materials such as various microfiber towels, absorbent foampads and the like are also contemplated.

In one embodiment, any number of apertures can be positioned along thechamois cover, preferably along one or both of the sides 21 e and 21 f.Such a feature providing an outlet for water that has been absorbed bythe absorbent member to be easily released via a squeezing action.

Accordingly, the inventive concepts disclosed herein representsignificant improvement to the art by providing a flat surface chamoisdrying mop that allows the use of a chamois in hard to reach verticalsurfaces such as boat transoms, RV sidewalls and household windows, forexample.

As to a further description of the manner and use of the presentinvention, the same should be apparent from the above description.Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage andoperation will be provided.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof. Likewise, the terms “consisting”shall be used to describe only those components identified. In eachinstance where a device comprises certain elements, it will inherentlyconsist of each of those identified elements as well.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended toinclude any structure, material, or act for performing the function incombination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. Thedescription of the present invention has been presented for purposes ofillustration and description but is not intended to be exhaustive orlimited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications andvariations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the artwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Theembodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the invention and the practical application, and to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention forvarious embodiments with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated.

What is claimed is:
 1. A mop device, comprising: an elongated main bodymember having a flat bottom end; a malleable chamois cover having apocket section that defines a hollow interior space, and a flap section;and a plurality of connectors that are positioned along each of thepocket section and the flap section, wherein the hollow interior spaceincludes a shape and a size that is complementary to a shape and a sizeof the elongated main body member, and wherein the flap section and theplurality of connectors are each configured to removably secure the mainbody within the pocket area.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein themalleable cover is constructed from at least one of a natural chamoisleather, a synthetic chamois material or a shammy, and is figured torepel water on contact.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the malleablecover is constructed from a single piece of chamois material.
 4. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the plurality of connectors comprising:opposing strips of hook and loop material.
 5. The device of claim 1,wherein the main body includes a generally rectangular shape and isconstructed from plastic.
 6. The device of claim 5, further comprising:a hinge mechanism that is positioned centrally along a top end of themain body.
 7. The device of claim 6, wherein the hinge mechanismincludes functionality for movement along at least one rotation axes. 8.The device of claim 6, wherein the hinge mechanism includesfunctionality for movement along two rotation axes.
 9. The device ofclaim 6, further comprising: a pole receptacle that is secured along oneend of the hinge mechanism.
 10. The device of claim 9, wherein the polereceptacle includes functionality for engaging an elongated pole.